ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Power
Offshore Wind Energy in India
Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy held a meeting today on transmission planning for offshore wind energy projects in India. Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary, Power and Shri Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy were present in the meeting.
During the meeting, transmission and evacuation infrastructure required for offshore wind projects of total capacity 10 GW off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, was discussed. A presentation on this was made to the Minister by the Central Transmission Utility .
After a detailed review, it was decided to bid out offshore wind energy blocks as per the following trajectory:
- Bids equivalent to a project capacity of 4.0 GW per year for a period of three years starting with the current FY 22-23 for development off the coast of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat for sale of power through open access / captive / bi-lateral third party sale / merchant sale
- Subsequently a project capacity of 5 GW will be bid out every year for a period of five years i.e. up till FY 29-30.
The project capacity of 8 GW bid out in the first two years beginning FY 22-23 will also be able to avail of the benefits of green attributes like carbon credits.
The bidding for the first 12 GW will be conducted on a single stage two envelope model wherein the bidders will be evaluated based on their techno-commercial capabilities and only the technically qualified bidders will proceed to financial evaluation. The financial evaluation will be based on quoted lease fee per sq km of sea bed area. The bidder offering the highest lease fee per sq km of sea bed area would be declared as the winner for allocation of the project.
Evacuation and transmission of power from offshore pooling Substation  to onshore transmission will be provided free of cost for all offshore wind capacities that will be bid out up to FY 29-30.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy through its implementing agency will issue the first bid in the next three – four months for leasing out offshore wind energy blocks equivalent to 4.0 GW capacity off the coast of Tamil Nadu.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
CSR Initiatives by Oil and Petroleum PSUs
Public Sector Oil Companies have spent Rs.5582.34 crore under CSR
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today informed that Public Sector Oil Companies have been earmarking 2% of their average Net Profits made during the three immediately preceding financial years as per Section 135 of the Companies Act and the CSR activities are undertaken under the heads identified under Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013.
Public Sector Oil Companies have spent Rs.5582.34 crore under CSR in various parts of the country during the last three years . The State/project/activities wise details of CSR activities undertaken and funds spent thereon during the last 3 years are available on the respective websites of the Public Sector Oil Companies.
Public Sector Oil Companies have been doing impact assessment exercise of some of their major CSR projects internally or through external agencies. However, as per changes made in CSR rules by Ministry of Corporate Affairs in January, 2021, it has been decided that impact assessment of CSR projects having outlays of one crore rupees or more, shall be undertaken through an independent agency. The impact assessment reports shall be annexed to the annual report on CSR.
Ministry of Coal
NLC India Limited enters into Long Term Power Usage Agreement for 300 MW Solar Project with Rajasthan
To supply Solar Power to Rajasthan for next 25 years
Power Project to help in reduction of carbon emission to the tune of 0.726 Million Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions every year
NLC India Limited, a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of Ministry of Coal has entered into Long Term Power Usage Agreement with Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam limited for supply of 300 MW Solar Power under CPSU Scheme at Rajasthan.
NLCIL is presently having 1,421 MW of Renewable Energy Capacity. As per the Corporate Plan of the company, it contemplates establishing 6,031 MW capacity by 2030.
The company has secured 510 MW Solar Project capacity in the CPSU Scheme Phase-II Tranche-III floated by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency  through competitive bidding. 300 MW Solar project capacity is under execution at Barsingsar, Bikaner District, Rajasthan. The EPC contract for the project has been awarded to M/s TATA power solar systems through competitive bidding.
The Power usage agreement  for the 300 MW Solar project was signed between NLC India Limited and Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited  on 17th August 2023 at Jaipur by Shri D.K.Jain, Director , RUVNL and Shri D.P.Singh, GM  of NLC India Ltd in the presence of Shri Bhaskar A Sawant, Principal Secretary, Energy, Govt. of Rajasthan, Shri MM Ranwa, MD, RUVNL and Shri Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, CMD, NLC India Ltd, Shri Mukesh Agrawal, ED , NLCIL, Jagadish Chandra Mazumdar, Project Head, Barsingsar Project and other Senior Officials, for supply of solar power to the state of Rajasthan for next 25 years.
The Power to the tune of 750 Million Units is to be generated annually from the project and total green power generated will be supplied to the State of Rajasthan. The project will help the State of Rajasthan in meeting their Renewable Purchase Obligation targets.
The power generated from the project will help in reduction of carbon emission to the tune of 0.726 Million Tonnes of Carbon dioxide emissions every year. On Renewable Energy front, in addition to present 1.40 GW capacity in Tamil Nadu, this is the first time NLCIL expanding its footprint of this capacity in other States.
Ministry of Coal
Overall Coal Production & Efforts to Increase Production
The details of the present quantum of coal production and annual consumption of coal in the country :
|
|
Figure in Million Tonnes 
|
|
Years
|
|
All India
Actual Coal Production
|
|
All India
Actual Coal
Dispatch
|
|
Total
Import
|
|
Total Actual Demand/ Consumption of Coal

|
|
2021-22
|
|
778.19
|
|
818.99
|
|
208.93
|
|
1027.93
|
|
2022-23

|
|
698.24|
|
719.86|
|
168.00|
|
-
|
|Upto January, 2023Upto November, 2022
The all India coal production in the year 2021-2022 was 778.19 Million Tonne  in comparison to 716.08 MT in the year 2020-2021. Further, in the current financial year upto January, 2023, the country has produced about 698.24 MT of coal as compared to about 602.49 MT during the same period of last year with a growth of about 16 %. The following measures taken by the Government to enhance the production of coal in the country:
- Regular reviews by Ministry of Coal to expedite the development of coal blocks.
- Enactment of Mines and Minerals  Amendment Act, 2021 for enabling captive mines owners  to sell up to 50% of their annual mineral  production in the open market after meeting the requirement of the end use plant linked with the mine in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government on payment of such additional amount.
- Single Window Clearance portal for the coal sector to speed up the operationalization of coal mines.
- Project Monitoring Unit for handholding of coal block allottees for obtaining various approvals / clearances for early operationalization of coal mines.
- Commercial auction of coal blocks on revenue sharing basis. Under commercial mining scheme, rebate of 50 % on final offer would be allowed for the quantity of coal produced earlier than scheduled date of production. Also, incentives on coal gasification or liquefaction  have been granted.
- Coal India Limited is adopting Mass Production Technologies  in its Underground  mines, mainly Continuous Miners , wherever feasible. Coal India Limited has also envisaged working large numbers of Highwalls  mines in view of the availability of Abandoned / Discontinued mines. Coal India Limited is also planning large capacity UG mines wherever feasible.
- In its Opencast  mines, Coal India Limited already has State-of-the-Art technology in its high capacity Excavators, Dumpers and Surface Miners. Digitization is being tried on pilot scale in 7 of its mega mines and shall be replicated further.
- SCCL is expediting the activities to ground new 8 mines .
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary
Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari attends Media Launch of Hyderabad Circuit of ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, in Mumbai
India Aims to become a next exporter of energy within the next 10 years : Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways
Mumbai, 13 January 2023
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari attended the Media Launch of the Hyderabad Circuit of Formula E World Championship, in Mumbai yesterday. Titled Hyderabad EPrix, the race will be held on 11th February in Hyderabad and is a part of the 2022-2023 Formula E World Championship. Formula E, officially the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, is a single-seater motorsport championship for electric cars. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari used the opportunity to highlight India’s initiatives in the e-mobility sector.
Speaking at the media launch, the Minister said that by focusing on electric vehicles India looks to address the twin problems of a huge fuel import bill and air pollution. He stated that conducting such a prestigious event on Indian roads will further popularize electric cars in the country. Describing a few Highway projects planned for the near future, he stated that a time will come when Indian Highways will be considered a better fit to conduct such racing championships than even professionally constructed race tracks.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also shed light on India’s plans to transition from Fossil fuel based cars. Noting the progress made in Green Hydrogen Technology, he stated that the country aims to be a net exporter of energy in the next 10 years. Not only will this objective provide a boost to the country’s economic growth, but it will also create jobs for the youth, he added. He observed that it is through improvements in e-mobility and advancements in clean, green energy technology that India can become Atma Nirbhar.
Also present at the event were Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde, Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development of Telangana, K.T. Rama Rao, Founder, Greenko and Ace Group, Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty and others.PIB Mumbai | Gautam SK/Darshana
Follow us on social media:@PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai
(Visitor Counter : 493
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Successful Meeting Between Ms. Helena Budliger, State Secretary of SECO, and Sh. Piyush Goyal, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister, Strengthens Trade and Investment Relations
A highly successful meeting took place today between Sh. Piyush Goyal, Commerce Minister of India and Ms. Helena Budliger, State Secretary, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs  in New Delhi. This meeting followed the successful conclusion of the G20 Trade Ministers' meeting held in Jaipur, and it underlines the commitment of both India and the European Free Trade Association  countries to fostering stronger trade and investment relations.
During the meeting, Minister Goyal and Ms. Budliger engaged in detailed discussions regarding the trade and investment ties between India and the EFTA countries. The talks encompassed a comprehensive review of the progress made in the ongoing negotiations for a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement  between India and EFTA.
Both leaders reiterated their shared vision of achieving a mutually beneficial trade deal based on the principle of reciprocity that reflects the evolving economic landscapes of both India and the EFTA countries. The discussions emphasized the importance of addressing key issues and concerns to create an agreement that will serve the aspirations of the citizens of both regions. The collaborative effort in TEPA negotiations underscore the significance of the partnership and the dedication of both parties to ensuring the success of these negotiations.
The meeting's outcomes signal a positive step forward in the India-EFTA trade relations, further strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two regions. The commitment to deepening trade and investment ties bodes well for the economic growth and prosperity of both India and the EFTA countries.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Ministry of DoNER Official’s Visit to Guwahati to Promote ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign’.
Shri Suresh Kumar S., Joint Secretary & Statistical Adviser, MDoNER is on a two day official tour to Guwahati/Shillong to promote ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ Campaign and meet officials from North Eastern Council and NEDFi to review status of North East Projects. During his visit, a Bike Rally was flagged off to promote ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.
Shri Suresh along with Shri P.V.S.L.N Murty, CMD, NEDFi & key officials chaired a review of North East projects at NEDFi headquarters in Guwahati.
Special programmes are being organized to promote ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign which includes a NEDFi Craft Carnival at NEDFi House till 15th August 2022. Shri Suresh along with Shri Murty visited the carnival. The Carnival is showcasing indigenous products of Artisans & Entrepreneurs. Free COVID-19 Vaccination Camp was also organized for citizens.
President's Secretariat
President of India graces the foundation day celebration of National Commission for women
Women empowerment is not just an issue of social justice but it is also crucial for economic development: President Murmu
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the Foundation Day Celebration of National Commission for Women in New Delhi today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it is not possible to imagine a strong and healthy society without women empowerment. Together we have to work towards creating an environment where all women can fully participate and contribute in the socio-economic, cultural and political spheres significantly. Women empowerment is not just an issue of social justice but it is also crucial for economic development. The low participation of women in the workforce is a major hindrance in the overall development of our country. India is the fifth largest economy in the world and now moving towards becoming a five trillion dollar economy. A more active role of women would be helpful in achieving this goal.
Speaking about gender discrimination, the President said that even today the situation of gender-ratio in many parts of the country is worrying. Sad examples of female foeticide are also seen in well educated parts of the country. She emphasized that it is not only the responsibility of the government but of the whole society to change this situation. She said that while ensuring gender justice, we have to make our development equitable. Our development would be called development in true sense only when the status of women would be equal to that of men.
The President said a question arises that why there was need to create a separate commission for women only. The answer is - we see that our sisters and daughters are flying in space, giving leadership in the armed forces while on the other hand they are becoming victims of domestic violence and facing discrimination and harassment at the workplace.
The President noted that the mission of the National Commission for Women is to address the specific problems arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women and to strive for the empowerment of women. She said that the need to create a separate commission for half of the country's population shows that women are yet to get their due respect and rights. She stressed that only by improving the status of women, the country would be able to make overall progress.
The President was happy to note that the National Commission for Women is committed to gender equality and empowerment through its continuous efforts. She urged all the women to move forward with determination by overcoming all kinds of obstacles. She also urged them to be aware of their rights and also make others aware.
On the occasion, the President received the first copy of the book ‘Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Bharat’ – the National Commission for Women Journey book from Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister for Women and Child Development.
Please click here to see the President's Speech
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s interaction through PRAGATI
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today chaired his twenty-third interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
The first twenty-two meetings of PRAGATI have seen a cumulative review of 200 projects with a total investment of Rs. 9.31 lakh crore. Resolution of Public Grievances has also been reviewed in 17 sectors.
Today, in the twenty-third meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed the progress towards handling and resolution of grievances related to consumers. The Prime Minister was briefed on the action taken to ensure speedy and effective disposal of consumer grievances. Expressing concern over the large number of grievances, the Prime Minister emphasized on the need for improvement in the administrative arrangements, so that consumers can be benefited.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of nine infrastructure projects in the railway, road, power, and renewable energy sectors, spread over several states including Uttarakhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Assam, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. These projects are cumulatively worth over 30,000 crore rupees.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress in implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana . He said that funds accruing to the District Mineral Foundations  should be utilized to strategically focus upon and eliminate major development issues or deficits that these districts currently face. He said this should be done in a focused way, so as to achieve the greatest possible, tangible results by 2022, which marks 75 years of independence.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
211.13 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
31,60,292 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 90,707
Active cases stand at 0.20%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.61%
13,528 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,37,70,913
10,256 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
88.43 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 4,22,322 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Registration for Haj
The entire process of Haj has been made 100% digital / online which has facilitated the dream of “Ease of Doing Haj” for the Indian Muslims. Making the entire Haj process online / digital, has made the Haj process smooth, transparent and eliminated middle-men, which has ensured that no extra financial burden has been put on Haj pilgrims even after removal of Haj subsidy. Haj Pilgrims, Private Haj Organizers, Haj Committee of India and other stake-holders involved in Haj management have all benefitted due to the digitization of Haj process. Also, the process of online registration of Haj Applications for Haj-2022 has commenced with effect from 01.11.2021 and the intending pilgrims have been requested to submit their applications through the portal www.hajcommittee.gov.in and mobile App till 31.01.2022.
From several decades, Indian Muslim women had been demanding the removal of government restriction on Muslim women performing Haj without Mehram , as this restriction prohibited single ladies and other working women like teachers, doctors, nurses, entrepreneurs who desired to go on Haj but could not able to get Mehram to perform the Haj Pilgrimage.
For the first time after the independence, the restriction on Muslim women performing Haj without Mehram has been lifted in the year 2018 and till date 3,401 women pilgrims have performed Haj without Mehram. For Haj 2020 & Haj-2021, 2980 Ladies without Mehram had applied for Haj pilgrimage but could not perform Haj due to Covid pandemic. Now, all such women and new women applicants for Haj 2022  will be eligible to perform Haj without lottery system.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Chiefs of the Army, Navy & Air Force visit National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla
: Mumbai, 21 August, 2021
The Chiefs of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force visited the National Defence Academy , Khadakwasla, their Alma-Mater together on 20-21 Aug 21. The visit marks a historical moment for this prestigious Tri-Service Training Academy as all three service chiefs are coursemates from the 56th Course of NDA, which is rare and unique. Earlier, it was only in 1991 that all three service chiefs were coursemates from the first NDA  course. The very idea and thought of them visiting their Alma-Mater together not only reaffirms the eternity of the bonds of camaraderie imbibed in the Academy but also signifies the spirit of ‘Jointmanship’ which this Tri-Service Training Institution stands for.
The idea of establishing this Joint Training Academy for training officers of three services was conceived by a committee headed by the then Commander-in-Chiefof the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinlek in 1945 and Academy commenced functioning in its interim location at Dehradun as Joint Service Wing in Jan 1949. The foundation stone of the Academy at Khadakwasla was laid on 06 Oct 1949 and inaugurated on 16 Jan 1955. In its glorious history of over seven decades, the Academy has produced the first Chief of the Defence Staff, 13 Chiefs of Army Staff, 11 Chiefs of Navy Staff and 09 Chiefs of the Air Staff.
Three Service Chiefs saluting the martyrs in presence of Commandant & Deputy Commandant
Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM, AVSM, ADC assumed as the Chief of the Naval Staff on 31 May 2019. Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC took over as Chief of the Air Staff on 30 Sep 2019 and General MM Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC took over as Chief of the Army Staff on 31 Dec 2019.
Speaking on behalf of the three chiefs on this historical occasion the Chief of the Naval Staff dwelled upon the emerging trends of modern warfare. He also exhorted the cadets to imbibe the basic tenets of modern military leadership. The Chiefs reviewed the ongoing training of cadets and the available training and administrative infrastructure of NDA.
On behalf of three Service Chiefs, Chief of Naval Staff addressing the cadets at NDA
Chief of Army Staff paying homage at Hut of Rememberance
Chief of Air Staff paying homage at Hut of Rememberance
During their visit, the chiefs paid homage at the ‘Hut of Remembrance’, which commemorates the sacrifice of ex-NDA officers of Armed Forces who laid down their lives in the line of duty. The Service Chiefs also visited their parent squadrons ‘Hunter’  & ‘Lima’ ; and interacted with the cadets of the respective squadrons. An interaction with the faculty and staff of NDA was also organised towards the end of their visit. Their visit to the Academy has provided unmatched inspiration and sense of pride to all the cadets and would further catalyze them to strive for excellence in their military careers and reinforce the Spirit of Camaraderie and Jointmanship amongst the three Services.
Three Service Chiefs in front of iconic Sudan Block at NDA